W911XK20R0003-0001_20May2020.pdf

W56MES91578279

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Solicitation W911XK20R0003 for the Construction of Upstream Approach Walls at the Soo Lock Complex, Sault Ste. Marie, MI is hereby amended as follow s:

SEE CONTINUATION PAGE

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 48

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 20-May-2020

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W911XK20R0003

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

27-Apr-2020

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

20-May-2020

CODE

U.S.ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, DETROIT

477 MICHIGAN AVENUE, 7TH FLOOR

DETROIT MI 48226-4523

W911XK 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W911XK20R0003

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE (SF 30)

The following have been added by full text:

AMENDMENT 0001

A) Due date for proposals is hereby extended from 29 May 2020 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time to 17 June 2020 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

B) Section 00 21 00, Paragraph 1.10 – POC for Communications/Questions is hereby amended to extend the due date for questions from 13 May 2020, 10:00 AM Eastern Time to 21 May 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Only questions requesting clarification of questions asked and answered will be considered, no “new” questions shall be addressed by the Government.

C) Contractor Questions and Answers as of the deadline of 10:00 AM Eastern Time, 13 May 2020 are hereby incorporated and made a part of this solicitation.

D) Site Visit attendee sheet and presentation information (including on-site videos) are hereby incorporated as part of this solicitation.

E) Section 00 21 16, Proposals Content and Evaluation is hereby amended as follows:

a. Paragraph 5.1 and 5.2 are hereby amended to reflect a fifteen (15) year recency requirement.

b. Paragraph 6.1 is hereby amended to reflect the correct anticipated Award Date of 30 September

2020 and Notice to Proceed Date of 15 October 2020.

F) The following drawings are hereby amended/updated and made a part of this solicitation:

a. SS115

b. SS301C

c. SS303

d. SS509

e. ST500D

G) The following Specification Sections are hereby amended as follows and as indicated in the Amendment 0001 Summary of Changes to Specifications Document:

a. Section 01 50 00 – Paragraph 3.2 Temporary Mobile Office is hereby amended.

b. Section 01 99 00 – Paragraph 1.1 Enclsoures is hereby amended.

c. Section 02 41 16 – Paragraph 3.4 Selective Demolition, Genreal is hereby amended.

d. Section 03 31 01.00 10: The following paragraphs have been added:

i. 3.2.5 – Placing Concrete Underwater

ii. 3.5.3 – Above Water Joint Preparation

iii. 3.5.3.1 – Air-Water Cutting

iv. 3.5.3.2 – High Pressure Water Jet

v. 3.5.4 – Wet Sandblasting

e. Section 05 12 00 is hereby amended as follows:

i. Paragraph 2.5 – Galvanizing is hereby amended.

ii. Paragraph 2.6.2 – Shop Primer is hereby deleted.

iii. Paragraph 2.6.2.1 – Cleaning is hereby deleted.

f. Section 05 50 04 – Paragraph 2.2.1.1 Materials is hereby amended

g. Section 31 00 00 is hereby amended as follows:

i. Paragraph 3.2 – SSP Wall Toe Trench Excavation is hereby amended.

ii. Paragraph 3.3 – Cell Excavation is hereby amended.

h. Section 31 10 00 – Paragraph 3.1.3 Disposal of Concrete Rubble is hereby amended.

i. Section 31 23 01.01 is hereby amended as follows:

i. Paragraph 3.7.5 Fish Spawning is hereby amended.

ii. Paragraph 3.7.9 Estimating Blast Vibrations is hereby amended.

j. Section 31 41 16 is hereby amended as follows:

i. Paragraph 1.2 Submittals is hereby amended.

ii. Paragraph 2.1 Metal Sheet Piling is hereby amended.

k. Section 35 31 19 is hereby amended as follows:

i. Paragraph 1.5 Construction Tolerances is hereby amended.

ii. Paragraph 2.1.4 Armor Stone is hereby amended.

H) The following information is hereby incorporated and made a part of this solicitation:

a. Drawings of the Existing Railroad Bridge

b. IBA Bridge Drawings

c. Bascule Bridge Drawings

d. Report for the Determination of Ground Vibration Limits

e. Unit 10 Sluiceway Drawings

f. Upstream Approach Walls Historic Drawings

g. North Canal Wall Survey Data

h. Chippewa County Health Department COVID-19 Screening Tool

i. COVID-19 Guidance

I) FAR 52.252-3, Alterations in Solicitation is hereby updated.

CONTRACTOR Q & A

1. Due to complexity of the work, RFP criteria, and small business participation requirements, and in consideration of the current social and economic environment, we request a 2 week extension to the bid date.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Government hereby grants additional time for submittal of proposals. Per Amendment 0001, the proposal due date will now be 17 June 2020 at the same time as indicated in the solicitation.

2. Refer to Section 00 21 16 of ITP, Section 5 Factor 1 Past Performance, Article 5.0. Please clarify the experience required for subcontractors, as follows.

a. Clarify if a designated subcontractor submits past performance for Article 5.1 evaluation criteria specific scope of work (such as bedrock removal), then the Prime Offeror’s submitted similar- in-magnitude projects do not have to cover that work?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Correct, however, the designated subcontractor must also perform the requisite work for the solicited project, in accordance with the last sentence of paragraph 5.0.

3. Refer to Section 00 21 16 of ITP, Section 5 Factor 1 Past Performance Article 5.1 Submission

Requirements

a. Projects with the specific scope of work, which exceed $25 million value, of the 5 evaluation criteria factors are not regularly performed. We request the time limit of 10 years completion be increased to at least 15 years.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Change will be made to 15 years in accordance with Amendment 0001.

b. Confirm that in the 3rd line the phrase - (from the solicitation issue date) – means this project

Sol. No. W911XK20R0003.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Confirmed, the phrase “from the solicitation issue date” is in reference to this solicitation (W911XK20R0003) issued on 27 April 2020.

c. Due to the minimum size project of $25 million, will extensive experience in installation of marine sheetpile cofferdams be considered or evaluated equal to SSP cell work.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In general a Sheet pile cofferdam and SSP cell work are similar in nature.

Nature of request is to assess past experience in installing SSP in a cellular structure form.

Cofferdam and cell work will be considered similar in the evaluation.

d. For the 1st bullet criteria, would extensive coordination with facilities and operations of utilities, railroads, and other similar entities be considered acceptable experience?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes.

e. In Article 5.2 Evaluation Criteria 1st paragraph states “Submitted projects must have been performed by the Offeror as either the prime contractor or major subcontractor (completing 25% or more of a single project) to be considered relevant.” This indicates that the requirement for at least 2 submitted projects over $25 million by the Prime Offeror in 5.1 may not be necessary if Offeror were a subcontractor on a previous contract for only 25% of a project over $25 million.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Correct, if the offeror performed on another contract over $25M, and performed at least 25% of that project, the total value of the subcontracted portion need not be over $25M.

4. Refer to Section 00 21 16 of ITP, Article 9.6.1. What steps will be taken by the Government to ensure the confidentiality of financial statements of privately held firms?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Per Paragraph 9.7, financial statements will only be used for initial source selection review and will not be evaluated. Therefore, the financial statements will only be viewed by the individual performing the initial source selection review and is considered source selection sensitive information and will not be shared with anyone else that does not need access to it. Upon conclusion, the documentation shall be shredded.

5. For Large Business Offerors, indicate which Volume/ Factor the Small Business Subcontracting Plan be included.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In accordance with Section 8.1, paragraph 5, only the potential awardee will be required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if they are a large business. All offerors are required to submit the Small Business Participation Plan. Therefore, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan need not be included in the initial proposal.

6. Clarify if the AFARS-Appx DD Subcontracting Plan Evaluation Guide will be used to score or evaluate the Small Business Participation Plan or have any effect on the entire Proposal Evaluation.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: AFARS Appendix DD Subcontracting Plan Evaluation Guide will only be utilized to review the Small Business Subcontracting Plan prior to award, it will not be used in any way to evaluate the Small Business Participation Plan.

7. The Optional work for this RFP will be a significant part of the Total Bid. Clarify in Vol 1 Factor IV, if the term Total Contract Value (TCV) is the total Base plus Option work bid. If so does the Small Business Participation Plan required to be split into the Base and Optional Work values?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, the Small Business Participation Plan shall be the total contract value (Base plus All Options). The Small Business Participation Plan is not required to be broken down into base and optional work values.

8. Please indicate which Tab of Volume 2 should include the Offer Guarantee.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Please include Offer Guarantee under Tab F with the Evidence to obtain Bonding.

9. The Bid Item descriptions do not specify where to include the pricing for work scope items such as the electrical demolition and installation or seeding. Is it the Government’s intention for the contractor to break apart these scopes into the applicable zones or will another bid item be added via addendum?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: It is the intention of the Government for the contractor to break apart these scopes into the applicable zones.

10. Water levels in the US pool and in the Great Lakes in general have been at historic highs. Current water levels at the UAW are at approximately +2 LWD. The bottom of formed concrete caps on the SSP cells is at +1.2 LWD, below current water level even if excluding the wave action that is present.

Is this work to be performed in the wet or is the contractor to provide a means by which to ensure construction in the dry?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: DSN: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 03 31 01.00 10 to clarify this requirement. Concrete may be placed underwater but it must conform to the guidelines and recommendations of ACI 304R Measuring, Mixing, Transporting and Placing Concrete, Chapter 8 - Concrete Placed Under Water. A specific concrete mixture for underwater placement must be developed for use in the placement. A work plan describing specific equipment and procedures for this work must be submitted for review and approval by the Government).

11. Sheet SS300 contains a series of Transition Wall Notes regarding the contractor designed SSP wall.

Note 2 requires a calculation be performed including full hydrostatic pressure from the land side on the SSP wall. Is it the Government’s intention to have the contractor perform a full stability analysis of the contractor designed SSP wall in the final as-designed, as-constructed state and assume the design liability for that portion of the project?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Contractor is responsible for construction of the permanent walls satisfying the minimum requirements of the drawings and specifications. Given that the Contractor’s means and methods of construction will affect the temporary conditions for these walls, the Contractor is responsible for the design of these walls in the temporary stages (i.e.

required toe embedment for stability, bracing location and configuration, fill lifts, etc…).

12. All of the bid items (except for the two bid items related to instrumentation monitoring) are lump sum bid items. Significant portions of the work scope final quantities are subject to actual conditions encountered. Some examples are the varying lengths of drilled shafts, quantity of aggregate and concrete fill, and quantity of underwater rock removal and grinding. Is it the Government’s intention for the contractor to assume the quantity risk for these portions of the project?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes. The government believes that enough information has been provided to allow the contractor to adequately bid the project.

13. Section 1.11 of the solicitation states that proposals shall be submitted electronically through the SAFE site. However, the SF 1442 currently reads that offerors are to submit sealed offers in original and five (5) copies. Further, on page 20 of the solicitation in section 4.2 - 4.4, there is a reference to submitting factors I-IV in three-ring binders and the Price and Pro Forma proposal in a sealed envelope. There is an additional reference to using a three-ring binder on page 30, section 8.2. Please confirm that three-ring binders and sealed envelopes are not required and that a complete electronic proposal will consist of a total of five (5) individual PDFs, one each for factors I, II, III, IV, and the Price and Pro Forma proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The SF1442 and the three-ring binder references are typically utilized for physical proposal delivery and were inadvertently included in this solicitation. Three-Ring binders and sealed envelopes are not required, nor is a physical proposal. The PDF files submitted through the Safe application may be broken down or as one complete file (with bookmarks). It is up to the contractor to decide how they’d like to break down the technical proposal. The Price and Pro Forma section of the proposal should be submitted as a separate PDF from the Technical Proposal.

14. Section 35 20 23 Page 8, 3.6.2 Wall Tolerances. These are the same tolerances specified for previous Deepening project solicitations. Please confirm that all areas subject to deepening by other contractors will meet these tolerances prior to performance of work under this contract.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The deepening by other contractors will be inspected and verified to meet the required tolerances within the Upstream Channel Deepening contract prior to performance of work for this contract.

15. Can the original drawings for the sluiceway be provided for information?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 01 99 90 to provide this information.

16. Can all other relevant drawings of existing structures and features in the near vicinity of station 0+00 and 100 ft east on the Northwest Pier be provided for information?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 01 99 90 to provide this information.

17. Minimum toe of sheet pile cells is shown at -30ft. Sheet pile purchase lengths will be governed by the maximum depth of toe, not the minimum. What is the allowable overdepth tolerance for the ongoing Deepening project?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Required Depth = -29 Feet LWD + 1 foot required overdepth + 1 foot allowable overdepth. Therefore, material down to -31 Feet LWD is the deepest depth that the Upstream Channel Deepening contract will be paid for.

18. Sheet SS101 shows a future SSP cell tie-in to the eastern-most cell close to station 0+00. Sheet SS301C section D4 shows a tremie concrete fill between the existing rock wall and the new cell. At what station should the tremie concrete fill be terminated to allow for the future SSP tie-in? What is the allowable tolerance for both the location of the tremie concrete fill termination and for allowable leakage of the tremie concrete fill around the termination cutoff means?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Sheet SS301C to clarify this requirement. The tremie concrete shown on SS101 is only to be placed within the cells identified.

The flowable fill referenced on SS301C should terminate at the 90 deg T pile along the centerline of SL5 to allow for future tie-in of adjacent cells.

19. Please clarify if there is an agreement and conditions with the railroad bridge owner and USACE for this work.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Crossing of the railroad tracks must be coordinated with the railroad.

There are currently only (2) scheduled train crossings per day. One at approximately 0600 and one at approximately 1800. The USACE has superior rights in this area and railroad operations should only have minor impact on construction. Proper coordination with the railroad should remove any potential issues.

20. Please provide any as-built information on the railroad bridge abutments and foundations.

21. Please provide any available railroad traffic/ bridge openings data for past year or more.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: There are currently (2) scheduled train crossings per day. One at approximately 0600 and one at approximately 1800. The contractor must coordinate with the railroad for operations surrounding the bridge and tracks.

22. In the virtual site visit, mention was made that the RR desires the bridge to be closed as much as possible. Please explain/ outline this requirement.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The railroad desires to keep the bridge in the closed position as much as possible for structural stability of the structure. However, the railroad only needs the bridge to be in the down position for the two daily crossings (0600 and 1800). Other than these two times, the railroad will keep the bridge in the up position as requested by USACE/contractor to facilitate construction and movement. Note coordination shall be made per specification section 01 35 13 paragraph 1.3.15.1. This doesn’t indicate that the bridge will be down rather it requires the Contractor to coordinate passage with the bridge owners.

23. Please clarify if any COVID19 related provisions, requirements, or guidelines will be required by the

USACE for this work.

GOVRNMENT RESPONSE: All contractors will check in their personnel every morning utilizing the attached COVID-19 questionnaire and a sign-in sheet and provide this information to the construction representative daily for reporting to the SAO Safety Office. Additionally, all contractor personnel shall comply with the following FRAGORD: Subject: New Directive on Face Coverings FW:

FRAGORD 20 to OPORD 2020-10 (USACE Response to COVID-19) (UNCLASSIFIED) Effective immediately, to the extent practical, all individuals on DoD property, installations, and facilities (including construction sites) will wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers (excluding personal residences).

24. Evaluation Section 6, Factor II, indicates Contract Award date of 21 October 2020. Please clarify what is expected of the Contractor Offer between the SF 1442 90 day Offer Requirement and the Award Date?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Though the Government may award without discussions, discussions may still be necessary. The Government and the contractor will coordinate during this time, should discussions be necessary. If for some reason the Government cannot make award within the 90 day acceptance period, an amendment will be issued to extend the acceptance period. This amendment will be posted to the Beta.SAM.gov website.

25. After 90 days, how will the Contractor know the status of the Offer?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Please see the response to question 24 above. Additionally, unsuccessful letters will be sent to any contractor not selected for award. The status of the procurement will not be shared outside of the Source Selection Team as it is considered Source Selection Sensitive Information.

26. With the present bid date, the 5 working day advance request for the SAFE site access code in the

RFP 00 21 16 ITP Article 2.2 falls on Friday May 22th (including Memorial Day May 25th). It was explained the SAFE access code is only good for 7 days, or later than 11AM on Friday May 22. Please clarify when we can request/be provided an access code.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A request may be sent at any time, however, the code provided will only be active for seven (7) calendar days and after that time will expire. It is recommended the offeror submit a request within seven (7) calendar days of the date proposals are due.

27. COVID-19 restrictions are greatly impacting the ability to successfully communicate with the subcontractor market. In addition, the final drawings indicate an added design requirement related to the sheet pile transition walls that will require time to coordinate the design and estimate.

Therefore, we are requesting a 6-week extension to the proposal due date to ensure we are providing the Government with the best proposal possible with maximum value.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See GOVERNMENT RESPONSE to question 1. The Government will grant additional time for proposal submission.

28. The various state and local restrictions related to the coronavirus and COVID19 are impacting the ability to effectively communicate with subcontractors and vendors, especially small business concerns. In order to ensure the development of a proposal that will provide the maximum value to the Government, we are requesting an extension of the proposal due date by 3-4 weeks.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See GOVERNMENT RESPONSE to question 1. The Government will grant additional time for proposal submission.

29. Please confirm that all fender wall irons and associated hardware including anchor bolts is to be supplied hot dip galvanized.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 05 12 00 to clarify this requirement. The structural steel components as identified in Specification Section 05 12 00 do not need to be hot dipped galvanized. As indicated in Specification Section 10 00 01, the threaded fasteners and associated hardware for the timber fenders are to be hot dip galvanized.

30. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwater. Sheet SS115 offers but one cross section through the breakwall. The plan view shows varying widths throughout the length of the structure. It also shows proposed contours. From this, it’s unclear how the rip rap and armor stone and what dimensions control the layer thicknesses. Since one person’s interpolation of what the contours mean may vary from someone else’s interpolation, we ask the government to furnish scaled cross sections along the length of the breakwall at regular intervals.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Sheet SS115 and Sheet SS303 to clarify this requirement.

31. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwall and Section 35 31 19 3.1.3. Core/Bedding Stone. The specification says to place stone to the lines, grades, and thickness shown. The cross section says core stone to be placed by others. Which is correct? If placed by the contractor, are they to furnish the material as well?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: There are numerous other locations where this contract requires placement of core stone (e.g. rubblemound revetment, Unit 10 Sluiceway, etc.). Therefore, the Government believes the language in the specification is accurate. The core stone for the rubblemound breakwater structure will be placed by others as indicated in the drawings and will not be required to be placed by this contract.

32. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwall. Section 35 31 19 3.1.2.1 What metric will be used to compensate the contractor for installing and removing armor stone as prescribed in this section? How will it be measured and paid? There are no unit prices included with this proposal.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Compensation is by job, unless temporary protection of exposed ends is ordered or directed by the Government for which an equitable adjustment shall be processed.

33. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwall. Section 35 31 19 3.1.2.1 The sections says this work will be measured and paid for only once. Does once mean per occurrence as ordered? Or does once mean per project?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Once per project.

34. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwall. Section 35 31 19 Section 2.1.1.4 Stone Stockpile. Does this apply to aggregates that could be offloaded by conveyor?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes.

35. Option 10. Zone 9 Breakwall. Section 35 31 19 Section 2.1.1.4.a Worksite Stockpile. The specification requires temporary storage shall be placed in a container suitable for storing stone. The term “container” is vague, can it be further explained or demonstrated?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The location of the stockpile and the containment system proposed by the contractor must be submitted for approval and approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The key is that the “container” must ensure that no stone is discharged to the receiving waters nor any sediments generated from surface stormwater runoff re-enter the surface waters of the St. Marys River from the stockpiled materials.

36. The compounding of requirements for Past Performance projects in Section 5.1 of the RFP is such that, in spite of many years of construction experience performing the type of work required by this procurement, we cannot meet some of your criteria. We can provide plenty of past performance evidence if the government will consider the following changes to this section:

* Eliminate the requirement that each project must be $25 million or more.

* Change the minimum criteria that each project must meet from (3) to (2).

* Allow projects completed within the last 12 years instead of 10 years.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Per question 3.a. the government will change the requirement from 10 years to 15 years in Amendment 0001. The other two criteria will not be changed.

37. Regarding the pre-bid site visit, we understand the impact of the current situation makes onsite visits very challenging and we appreciate the Corps effort to overcome those obstacles. However, the complexity, size, logistics and scale of the Soo Lock project are difficult to grasp via virtual prebids and google earth. It is our request that if the bid date is extended as previously requested, the Corp consider incorporating limited site visits in June, when the climate may be different, for bidding contractors only.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In accordance with the solicitation, FAR Clause 52.236-7 – Site Visit (Construction) ALT I, the virtual pre-proposal site visit will be the only site visit for this project.

Because of the time sensitivity of the project, as well as the unknown timeframe of when restrictions might be relaxed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, no additional site visit will be conducted.

38. Please confirm the bottom chord elevation of the International Bridge.

39. Please confirm the bottom chord elevation of the Railroad Bridge when in the down position.

40. Are there any windows of availability or restrictions as to when the contractor may request that the railroad bridge be moved to the up position?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Time should be allotted to allow for raising and lowering of the bridge and passage of a train two times per day. These scheduled times are generally at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For bidding purposes the contractor should assume one (1) hour for each crossing in which movement across or under the bridge will be stopped. If it is essential to have the bridge in the up position during either of those times the contractor shall seek to coordinate this change with the railroad and USACE as early as possible.

41. The notes on plan sheet SS300 and several subsequent sheets indicated that the contractor is responsible for design of the SSP Transition walls. Further, specification sections are referenced which also discuss contractor design requirements. We have the following questions related to this requirement.

a. Is the contractor responsible for the complete and permanent design of the transition walls as shown on the drawings?

b. Or, is this contractor design requirement solely for verification of contractor’s means and methods to ensure the apparent fully designed work is properly constructed as shown in the plans?

c. Will the contractor or the contractor’s engineer be required to become the designer of record for this portion of the project?

d. The design drawings appear to be complete for permanent design, even to the extent they have specified the characteristic of the sheet piling, backfill material, embed depth, spacing of the anchor studs, etc. If contractors’ designer determines that these designed elements are insufficient or less than optimal, what is the Corps expectation of the contractor’s responsibility in this situation?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Contractor is responsible for construction of the permanent walls satisfying the minimum requirements of the drawings and specifications. Given that the Contractor’s means and methods of construction will affect the temporary conditions for these walls, the Contractor is responsible for the design of these walls in the temporary stages (i.e.

required toe embedment for stability, bracing location and configuration, fill lifts, etc…).

42. Section 31 41 16 3.1.4 Inspection of sheet pile. The contractor shall inspect the interlocked joints of driven pilings extending above the top of rock with divers. Can alternate methods of interlock inspection be used in lieu of divers such as camera inspection?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Use of cameras or other means can be considered to inspect interlocks of driven piles. It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to show that this method is sufficient in inspecting the interlocks and the plan would need to be approved by the COR.

43. Section 31 00 00 Earthwork. 3.2 SSP Wall Toe Trench Excavation states that the contractor shall clear the drive line including “satisfactory removal and disposal of obstructions such as boulders, bedded deposits, and unstratified masses...” What is the Corps’ definition of a boulder? Please provide an example of the bedded deposits referred to in this section as obstructions.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 31 00 00 to clarify this requirement. Boulders will be interpreted as pieces of rock of 1/2 cubic yard or more in volume. Additional information on the characteristics of the overburden material can be found in the test pit logs and boring logs located in Section 01 99 90.

44. Section 31 00 00 Earthwork 3.3 Cell Excavation. Cells in Zone 3 and 13 are to be previously excavated to -30ft minimum as shown on the cross sections. The specification states that the cell areas are to be excavated to achieve a level surface +/- 6”. Due to the nature of the ongoing deepening contract and the methods being employed for excavation, there is a high probability for large elevation differences within each cell. Since the work is not yet complete, it is impossible to accurately determine the surface leveling effort required. What is the tolerance for surface leveling that is required in the deepening contract? What is the magnitude of surface elevation variance that the contractor can expect to encounter after the deepening contractor has completed its scope of work?

Does the level surface tolerance of +/- 6” apply to the entire cell footprint or only where the pile sheets will be placed?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 31 00 00 to clarify this requirement. Contractor can expect a surface between -30 and -31 feet below Low Water Datum. A required tip elevation for the sheet pile cell structures of -30.5 feet below Low Water Datum with a +/- 6” tolerance will be added. This requirement only applies to the area where the cell pile sheets will be placed.

45. Section 31 00 00 Earthwork 3.3 Cell Excavation. The specification states, “The contractor is responsible for the satisfactory removal…” Can the Corps better describe their meaning of satisfactory removal? We’ve seen similar specifications developed by the Corps describe satisfactory removal as cleaning all loose material at the bottom of cells and requiring diver inspections to verify prior to placing cell fill.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 31 00 00 to clarify this requirement. All loose material shall be removed and a survey inspection will be required.

46. Section 31 00 00 Earthwork 3.3 Cell Excavation. The specification states, “The use of blasting techniques for SSP excavation is prohibited.” Please confirm that this requirement prohibits any blasting from station 0+00 to 1+94?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, blasting is prohibited for all cell excavation activities. It is expected that Contractors will be able to remove this material with drilling and grinding techniques.

47. Section 35 20 23 3.6.2 Wall Tolerances. On the NW Pier the timber cribs begin at station 38+35 and extend westward to the Upstream Limit. Should this area be outside of the stated tolerances, how would the Corps intend to resolve the issue? For example, if a timber crib has been damaged prior to the contractor beginning work onsite and is extending into the deepening A Line limit, would the Corps view that as an issue requiring a contract adjustment?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: If timber crib damage extends across the deepening A Limit Line outside of the stated tolerance this will be considered an unforeseen site condition and will be handled with a contract modification.

48. Section 35 31 19. 2.1.4 Armor Stone. The armor stone range is to be from 8,000 to 16,000 lbs with 75% greater than 11,000 lbs Basically, 75% of the Armor will be between 5.5 tons to 8 tons. This is a very tight gradation range. Can the Corps consider widening this range to make it more commercially producible?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The lower size limit and the 75% size limits are set at the listed values.

Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 35 31 19 to increase the upper armor stone size limit to 20,000 lbs.

49. Will the owner of the railroad bridge require the contractor to provide a Railroad Protective Insurance Policy prior to working around the existing railroad bridge? If yes, please provide the name of the railroad bridge owner and contact information.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No additional insurance policy will be required for operating around the bridge.

50. The size standard of $39.5million – with that designation, the group we are working with feels that while this job is open, that the $39.5 will limit the prime contractor to be a small business. Can you confirm whether or not someone exceeding the $39.5 Million size standard would be able to bid this as the prime contractor?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In accordance with Block 10 of the solicitation, this procurement is a Full and Open Requirement. Therefore, both large and small businesses may provide proposals in response to this solicitation.

51. If the prime contractor is recognized as a small business, is Volume I – Factor IV Small business Participation Plan still a requirement/still become necessary for the technical review?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In accordance with the solicitation, Section 00 21 16, Proposal Content and Evaluation, Paragraph 8.1, “All offerors shall submit a Small Business Participation Plan…”

52. They also indicate and we support that the bid window for putting this together is extremely tight with generating all the quantities and drafting a quality proposal for review. Will a bid date extension be considered?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Please reference the Government’s response to Question #1.

53. Detail E1/S509 indicates field welding of guard rail vertical elements. It seems as though this welding should be done in a shop. Please confirm that these guardrail vertical elements will be shop and not field welded.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The welding of the guard rail vertical elements may be completed in a shop.

54. Please confirm that any teaming agreements or letters of commitment from subcontractors or suppliers do not count against the 25-page limit for the Small Business Participation Plan.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Confirmed. Teaming arrangements or letters of commitment from subcontractors or suppliers will not count toward the 25-page limit for the Small Business Participation Plan.

55. Please extend the due date at least 4 weeks to accommodate subcontractor outreach and to provide sufficient time to examine site conditions which is complicated due to COVID-19 restrictions.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Additional time will be given as described in the amendment.

56. Regarding Factor I, Past Performance Confidence, we anticipate using a specialty subcontractor to meet one of the technical requirements. If the subcontractor’s past performance is used to meet just one requirement, please confirm that it does not need to meet three of the technical criteria listed in paragraph 5.1.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: That is correct.

57. Can you comment on how the Corps will address the execution of this project relative to the COVID- 19 outbreak and any modifications to work in tight or restricted areas at the site? Is the Corps considering to adjust any current contract language during this pandemic relative to schedule and/or cost relief?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: In general contract language regarding schedule or cost will not be changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If specific issues are identified they will be considered on a case by case basis.

58. SECTION 03 70 00 2.1.1 Mass Concrete - The definition of Mass Concrete is vague and open to interpretation in regards to the concrete dimension limits that require Mass Concrete. The sheet pile concrete cap has a depth of 5 feet. We have had contracts where this is clearly mass concrete, yet other contracts/clients where that dimension was not large enough to require mass concrete.

Can the Corp provide more specifics on the minimum dimensions that require mass concrete?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Areas requiring mass concrete can be found in paragraph 1.2 of Spec section 03 70 00. Mass concrete is limited to the concrete within the Transition Zones and the sheet pile end cells at the downstream limit of the project.

59. SHEET SS101 note 4 – the contractor is required to furnish the cell template to the government after completion. If more than one cell template is required due to schedule, will the Corp require all templates to be delivered to the Corp?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Only one template will be required to be provided to the government additional templates if needed will not be required by government.

60. SHEET SS101 note 4 – the contractor is required to furnish the cell template to the government after completion. As part of our template design, a significant portion of the cell template is expected to be sacrificial and remain in place. In such circumstances, would the contractor be expected to furnish a separate complete template with all sacrificial items to the Corp upon completion?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A complete template must be furnished to the Government.

61. Please provide any available as-built drawings of the existing approach walls.

62. Refer to Spec 31 41 16 and 31 00 00.

a. In the SP cell areas 3A/B deepened by other contracts, specify the tip elevation to determine the sheetpile lengths to be purchased.

b. Spec 31 41 16, Article 3.1.6, specifies Inspection of the sheetpile trench. Are inspection surveys required for SP cell locations?

c. In the SP cell areas deepened by other contracts, what tip elevation surface prep is required, if any.

d. The specifications acknowledge there will be gaps under the SP cells on the rock surface. The excavation tolerance is +/-6”. These gaps shall be reported to the CO.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 31 00 00 and Section 31 41 16 to clarify the below requirements.

a: A tip elevation of -30.5 Feet below Low Water Datum +/- 6” will be required.

b. Inspection surveys will be required for ssp cell locations.

c. Deepening contracts requirements are -30 feet below Low Water Datum + 1’ allowable overdepth.

d. Inspection survey will be required to ensure maintaining required excavation tolerance and submitted to the COR prior to approval.

63. Please clarify the criteria required for a cell to be filled without additional work.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Please clarify where this requirement is located.

64. We request that the due date for questions to be delayed by at least a week to be able to review the complex demolition and rock removal plans and specifications. No questions and answers to date have been published on SAM.gov yet, and answers to previously asked questions invariably lead to more questions to clarify our understanding of the project and scope of work.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Contractors will be given an additional 24 hours to ask clarifying questions to answers provided to their specific question already asked. No new standalone questions will be addressed during this 24 hour extension period. If a question to an answer already provided is deemed “new” by the Government, this question will not be addressed.

65. Will the attendee list for the virtual site visit be published?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes

66. Will the videos shown during the virtual site visit be uploaded?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes

67. Will the Government consider a 4 week bid extension?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No. The government will grant a bid extension as described in this amendment.

68. Is this project tax exempt?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No. Include any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes.

69. Will the government consider extending the question period by 1 week?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See answer to Question #64

70. Will the USACE Detroit District allow WELDED FABRICATED Connectors for the PS27.5 Interlocks for all Fabricated “Y” Pile Details in lieu of the Bolted Connections? Welded Fabricated Y’s have been successfully used for years and were used at the recently completed Panama Canal Borinquen Dam Cofferdam which allowed expedited delivery in lieu of bolted connections.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Welded SSP Y connections may be used instead of the bolted Y’s shown in A5/ST510.

71. Please provide additional detail on the available lay down area available to the contractor at “Gate 26”.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The intent is to not provide any additional laydown area by Gate 26.

72. Please extend the time to submit questions by at least one week. Our team would like time to study the information and videos from the site visit when posted and would appreciate opportunity to request further clarification.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See answer to Question #64

73. Please confirm that the virtual site visit presentation, attendee list, and site videos will be posted to beta.sam.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Items will be provided in this amendment.

74. During the virtual site visit, it was mentioned that the existing CN Railroad Bridge is operational and typically in its downward position. Can the USACE provide any additional clarification on restrictions or planned outages during which time work can be performed under the bridge while in its upward position?”

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: See previous responses to questions regarding the CN Railroad Bridge.

75. Section 01 50 00 Paragraph 3.2 regarding the mobile office furnished for the Government states the following: “Maximum occupancy will be twenty (10) occupants.” Is 10 or 20 the correct maximum occupancy?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 01 50 00 to clarify this requirement. It should state “ten (10) occupants”.

76. Section 31 23 01.01 Paragraph 3.7.6 states that “Contractor shall ensure all of its employees and subcontractor employees having to enter onto the CN Railway Bridge are trained in e-Railsafe.” Is crossing of the tracks at grade between Contractor Laydown Areas A and B shown on Sheet GC100 considered as entering onto the CN Railway Bridge and therefore requires e-Railsafe training?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Contractor’s Seismic Specialist and other Contractor personnel who will be directly accessing the bridge structure for instrumentation installation will be required to take this training. Utilization of the at-grade railroad crossing does not require completion of this training.

77. Section 05 12 00 Structural Steel: Does this section apply to the sheet pile wales, anchor studs, nuts/bolts/plates, etc? In particular sections 2.5 galvanizing, 2.6.2 shop primer, 2.6.2.1 cleaning.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 05 12 00 to clarify this requirement.

78. Section 02 41 16 Paragraph 3.4 and 3.6 state that selective demolition is to be only to the extents called for on the drawings. For the selective concrete demolition, no dimensional tolerances are given in the drawings or in Section 02 41 16 for the surface of the remaining concrete after demolition. What are the allowable dimensional tolerances for over-removal of concrete during selective demolition operations?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: There shall be no tolerances in terms of removing less than what’s shown, and any additional material removal would be the responsibility of the contractor.

79. Section 31 10 00 Disposal of Materials: Paragraph 3.1.3 Disposal of Concrete states that ”Government may perform random testing of dredged materials” and that “the Contractor may be required to remove any material from the Government furnished placement area that is found to be in non-compliance with the permitting for the site. Such removal…will be at no additional cost to the Government.” What testing is planned to be performed and what is the permitting criteria that the concrete rubble material needs to pass in order to be able to be embanked in the Government furnished placement area?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revised Specification Section 31 10 00 to clarify this requirement.

80. Section 31 23 00.00 20 Cell Fill and Wall Fill: Paragraph 3.4.1.1 states that “one gradation test shall be performed for every 2,500 tons of fill prior to placement.” Can the specified gradation testing frequency be reduced for bulk aggregate deliveries such as by barge?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Gradation test requirements are expected to be maintained as per contract specs.

81. Z-Pile walls are specified to be installed in a trench excavated a minimum distance into “competent rock”. As used in this context in the specifications and drawings, what is the definition of “competent rock” and what will be the method of determining/verifying competent rock?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Competent rock shall be interpreted as rock capable of withstanding the loading it will be subjected to. Additional information on the characteristics of the overburden material as well as the bedrock can be found in the test pit logs and boring logs located in Section 01 99 90. The Contractor is responsible for verifying that the rock trench has the minimum required depth in competent rock.

82. Section 31 41 16 Paragraph 2.1 specifies that all steel piling shall be from the same manufacturer. Is it acceptable for all of the flat sheet piles to be from one manufacturer and all of the Z-piles to be from a different manufacturer provided the tie-in sheets are assembled with the appropriate mating interlocks from each manufacturer?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Reference Amendment 0001 which revises Specification Section 31 41 16 to remove this requirement.

83. Section 35 31 19 Paragraph 2.1.2 specifies that “bedding/core stone shall be between 2 inches and

10.5 inches each” with 75% of the stone being above 4…